Tulane released its 2012 football schedule Thursday afternoon, a lineup that features seven homes games and two savory non-conference games, Rutgers and Ole Miss.

Newly hired Green Wave Coach Curtis Johnson calls it “workable.”

“It’s challenging, but a workable schedule,” Johnson said, and later added with a laugh: “I wish I had seven home games every year.”

Tulane kicks off the campaign with a home game Sept. 1 against Rutgers, a program that conjures pleasant memories for the Green Wave. Tulane defeated Big East foe Rutgers 17-14 in 2010 for its last victory against a team from an automatic BCS conference.

The Green Wave also delves back into SEC waters after a year hiatus by hosting the Rebels in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sept. 22.

“It will be a good game. I think they will be a good football team, new coach,” Johnson said. “It will be interesting.”

The Ole Miss game precedes a two-game stretch of in-state opponents: University of Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 29 and then a road game against University of Louisiana-Lafayette on Oct. 6.

“(ULL) is a tough team — they just beat San Diego State (32-30) in the (R+L Carriers New Orleans) bowl game. I just got done watching film of them,” Johnson said.

Tulane picks back up with league play Oct. 13 by hosting SMU, kicking off a seven-game stretch of conference contests that concludes on the road Nov. 24 in a regular-season finale vs. Houston.

“We’re just trying to find our way right now; I think we’ll put out a good product,” Johnson said.

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Tammy Nunez can be reached at tnunez@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3405.